Regions

Region Overview: Inland Empire

Widely considered to be the fastest growing region in the state for high quality charter schools, the Inland Empire region includes more than 60 schools in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono Counties. Charter schools programs in these counties include dual immersion, S.T.E.M, performing arts, independent study, career academies, and much more. Recent accomplishment by charter schools and their students and staff in the region include:

Recent accomplishment by charter schools and their students and staff in the region include:

The Grove High School received a 2012-13 a California Distinguished School award as an exemplary and inspiring school that is demonstrating significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap. The Grove School's mission is to provide a unique learning environment consistent with a Montessori vision for secondary age students. The secondary program provides students with two crucial components: an environment that fosters self-responsibility trough an individualized curriculum; and core course work that ensures each student's ability to master individual and state competency goals.

Academy for Academic Excellence-Mojave River Campus features a $4.5 million Technology Center with a 34-meter radio telescope located at NASA's Deep Space Network at Goldstone, CA in the Mojave Desert. Used with students across the Country, via the Internet, doing actual deep space research. Students have the opportunity to participate in a simulated terrestrial planet explored via the Internet, controlling a rover. The campus sits in 100 acres of Mojave River Wildlands and is considered an environmental study area. Enrollment for 2012-2013 stands at 1,340 K-12 students with almost 2,600 students on the waiting list.

Western Center Academy first opened its doors in the fall 2010. Two years after opening, students created a robotics club to learn about designing, engineering, programming, and competing with robots. The robotics club now has 24 members and four teams that have competed in six tournaments and two regional champions in the San Diego and Los Angeles regions. One, of the four teams, the Metal Ducks, won the 2012-2013 San Diego Regional Championship and took them to the World Championship held in St. Louis. An accomplishment for a rookie team with middle-school students, since 85% of the clubs are high school teams.

Encore Jr/Sr High School for the Performing and Visual Arts provides a creative, challenging and nurturing environment that offers students innovative preparation for a University education and pursuit of the arts. First opened in August 2008, Encore has developed a balance of a strong academic education with an amazing arts program that includes music, drama, dance, visual arts, technical arts, and creative writing. Encore is the only school in the region with a 24-hour radio program featuring parent information and student shows.

Start a Charter in the Inland Empire

As CCSA's designated School Development and Support representative for the area, Jennifer Reiter-Cook understands the unique charter school landscape you face and can support you with the necessary skills and resources to start a high-quality charter school. Learn more.

Regional Links

For more information about some of the charter authorizers in the Inland Empire region, check out links to: